Puzzle



H. A. PECK-.

PUZZLE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 20. 1919.

Patented Sept. 2, 1919.

C0 WASHINGTON, D. C-

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY A. ZPECK, 0F CINCINNATI, OHIO.

PUZZLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 2, 1919.

Application filed May 20, 1919. Serial No. 298,428.

' Puzzles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of puzzles which utilizes a receptacle having labyrinthine ways, through which it is the object of the puzzle to direct a ball or a series of balls to a destination or destinations.

The object of my invention is to provide a puzzle the solving of which requires the exercise of both quickness of perception and skill of hand.

This object is attained by the means described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which-:--

Figure 1 is a plan view of a puzzle embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken upon line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

My puzzle comprises a box having a bot- .tom a, with ends and sides, a glass top I) which is spaced from the bottom so as to maintain balls at in the ways and paths which are formed in the bottom.

In the bottom a, adjacent to the ends, are ball ways a, a and at one side is a ball way a which connects ways a and a Communication between way a and ways a and a is controlled by means of sliding pins 0, c. A series of grooves is cut in the bottom (1 so as to form a circuitous path a and circuitous ways upon each side of the path. Circuitous path a has an opening a into the way a and an opening a into the' way a This circuitous path is indicated by an irregular line in Fig. 1. The circuitous ways are located upon each side of the circuitous path, but have openings into but one of the ball ways, viz: openings into the ball way a and situated upon each coplel of am patent m be obtained in side of the opening a. The circuitous ways have formed in them a number of pockets or blind alleys.

In playing the game, the series of balls 7' are collected in the way a by open communication between way a and way a, then this communication is closed by means of the pin (2. It is the object of the game to get the series of balls from the way a into the way a in as short a time as possible. In so doing it is necessary to start the balls through the opening a and the openings upon each side thereof and to mani ulate the box so as to cause the balls to r0 1 in a general direction toward the way a In so doin it can be seen that many of them will roll into the blind alleys and in extricating them the balls which are following the course through the circuitous path a, will be diverted therefrom. It can be seen that it is necessary for the player first to discover the path which leads to the way a? and then for him to direct the series of balls through this path.

What I claim is A puzzle comprising a box having a transparent top, a bottom having grooves dividing the space between the top and bottom as follows: a ball way at each end of the space, a straight ball way at the side and communicating with the ball ways at the ends, a circuitous path having an opening at its opposite ends into the first mentioned ball way, circuitous ways upon each side of the path having openings into but one of the ball ways at the end and communicating with the circuitous path at points intermediate its ends and having in them a number of blind alleys, means at the ends of the intermediate ball way for controlling communication between it and the end ball ways, and balls located in the grooves.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

HENRY A. PECK.

five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0." 

